In Depth:  Northern Ireland

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Belfast: ‘Old wounds opened again’

Belfast: ‘Old wounds opened again’
en staff
en staff

The atmosphere in Belfast is “tense, weary and deeply unsettled” – and also contains challenges for evangelicals, a church minister says.

Speaking in the wake of disturbances following a vicious stabbing attack in the city, Andrew Irwin told en of the situation in the city and some of the underlying tensions and issues.

What is needed in Northern Ireland now?

What is needed in Northern Ireland now?
James Burnett
James Burnett

Living in Belfast, the cultural response to a Sudanese suspect who allegedly stabbed a white person in June’s evening daylight was predictable: streets, buses and houses were ablaze in full technicolour hatred in time for the ten o'clock news, the self-justified expression of pent-up aggression against migrants.

One Pastor in North Belfast, Jack McKee, made the local news for speaking out against the violence and standing up for his parishioners: “They’re good Christian people and they’re getting put out just because they’re black... I’m doing my best to help them, it’s as simple as that". [1]

Northern Ireland: Reaction to Christian RE ruling

Northern Ireland: Reaction to Christian RE ruling
Nicola Laver
Nicola Laver

The ruling that the teaching of Christian religious education in Northern Ireland is unlawful marks a further “step away from the strong Christian foundations” that have shaped UK education, the Association of Christian Teachers (ACT) is warning.

In November, the Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled that RE and collective worship is not “objective, critical, and pluralistic” and amounts to “indoctrination”. However, they reinforced the principle that “parents are primarily responsible for the education and teaching of their children”.

The case of JR87: Faith in education?

The case of JR87: Faith in education?
Olwyn Mark
Olwyn Mark

The role and place of religion in the education system in Northern Ireland is currently under scrutiny in light of a case currently being considered by the UK Supreme Court – the case of JR87.

The case centres on a child who attended a primary school in Northern Ireland with a Christian ethos. When the child in question started repeating a prayer at home before eating, one that she had learnt at school, and began asking questions about God and religion, her parents voiced their concerns to the school, namely that the education that their daughter was receiving did not conform with their own religious or philosophical convictions.

Northern Ireland ‘more Christian’ than England and Wales

Northern Ireland ‘more Christian’ than England and Wales
Nicola Laver
Nicola Laver

Northern Ireland has a significantly higher proportion of practicing Christians than in England and Wales, new research reveals.

A survey conducted by the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland (EANI) found that one in five people in the province say they are evangelical Christians; and one in every two people consider themselves a practising Christian. The figures are in stark contrast with the 2021 census of England and Wales, which revealed less than half of the population would describe themselves as Christian.

Northern Ireland: violence, unrest and simmering conflict

Northern Ireland: violence, unrest and simmering conflict
Iain Taylor
Iain Taylor

What is happening in Northern Ireland and what role are evangelical Christians playing in helping to bring Christ into this situation?

Recently the BBC reported a police raid in Belfast. As part of an operation against the loyalist east Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force, six guns, ammunition, two pipe bombs and two smoke grenades were discovered at a house occupied by brothers William and Robin Baker. They were arrested and charged with possessing guns and explosives with intent to endanger life. There have been many other such examples over the past few months.

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